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Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Piestewa Games Honor The Legacy Of A Fallen Native American Hero
Lori Ann Piestewa is the inspiration behind the Piestewa Games, a three-day athletic event featuring ... More competitions in five sports (with a sixth, Powerlifting, taking place in the fall). Athletic Competitions Continue To Honor A Hero's Legacy The highly anticipated annual Piestewa Games (formerly the Lori Piestewa Native American Games) at the Arizona Athletic Grounds did not disappoint. The event brings together sports teams from Native American communities for spirited team and individual competitions. A record number of athletes (3,523) and coaches (552) participated in Baseball, Basketball, Slow-Pitch, Wrestling and Fastpitch, new to the lineup this year. The traditional Powerlifting competition is scheduled later this year in Flagstaff. Fastpitch softball made its debut at the Games this year, with 9 teams, 135 athletes and 18 coaches. The Games honor Hopi tribal member U.S. Army Specialist Lori Piestewa who, in 2003, became the first Native American woman killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Military. Just 23 at the time, the Tuba City, AZ native died after her convoy was ambushed in Iraq. She left behind two small children, Brandon and Carla Whiterock, and a community determined to never forget her sacrifice. The tournament is a tribute to the late veteran and a source of pride and unity for the Native American community, many of whom share personal histories. It fosters camaraderie, rekindles old friendships, and motivates younger athletes. Multiple generations have now competed in the Games and return to either coach or watch their kids carry on the tradition. Lori's spirit was a powerful force throughout the three-day tournament, going beyond the visual representations of her life in photos, on banners, shirts and merchandise. It was felt in the joy of the crowd, the enthusiasm of the athletes, and the shared sense of community and purpose among everyone on site. What began as a grassroots extension of the Grand Canyon State Games has expanded considerably since coming under the auspices of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC). The organization's mission is to bring sporting events to Arizona, assist in the promotion of existing events, and support youth and amateur sports programs. Executive Director Nikki Balich explained that their motto – Impact Arizona – emphasizes serving quietly and impacting loudly, with meaningful, respectful, and community-driven activities. Rez Ball on the Court Basketball drew the largest field of competitors, with 197 teams, 2,364 athletes and 394 coaches. The sport carries deep historical and cultural significance for tribal communities. 'Rez Ball' has become synonymous with a high energy, aggressive style of play that athletes developed in off-site Native boarding schools and brought back to their reservations. Many of the basketball participants are return competitors and have played with their teams for ... More years Brandon noted that the origins of rez ball style are rooted in the tradition of long distance running, particularly among the Navajo and Hopi tribes. 'When you run cross country, you're basically getting conditioned to run up and down the basketball court,' he explained. 'Native Americans kind of came up with the concept of run and gun. All you did was run up and down the court until the other team got tired.' The Stay Sober Elite boys basketball team, composed of sophomores from the White Mountains, won the JV Division Championship at this year's Games. The team name, Stay Sober Elite, reflects a mission to promote sobriety and positive choices among Native youth who face challenges of drugs and alcohol in their home communities. Their interim coach, Dan Butterfield Jr., is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and a Veterans Administration employee. Coach Butterfield emphasizes the importance of earning the trust of his players and, in turn, his ... More players learning to trust each other. 'Addiction's a big thing,' he said. 'And some of the parents that are running this, they've beaten addiction, and they've come back and now they're out there sending positive vibes to the community. And in return, their children are seeing that and want to carry on that legacy and want to share that.' Butterfield, a fellow Tuba City native, has a very personal connection to the Piestewa family. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC at the same time Lori lived there during her ex-husband's Army posting, prior to her own enlistment. She gave birth to her two children in North Carolina, and for three years became the go-to babysitter for Butterfield's son, who was the same age as Brandon. The well-respected coach, described by his players as 'loud but knowledgeable,' laughingly recalls an experience with Lori that left a lasting impression. The two were driving to Myrtle Beach from Fort Bragg when she suddenly stopped the car to avoid hitting a turtle crossing the road. Rather than simply moving it to the side of the road Lori chose to rescue it and give it a name – Myrtle the Turtle. That adopted turtle came back to Tuba City with Lori and, according to Butterfield, lived a long and happy life, passing away just a few months ago. Family Affair Lori's family is the heart of the tournament, playing a vital role in planning and bringing the Games to life by promoting unity, diversity and empowerment through sports. Her mother Percy, a petite 77-year-old bundle of energy, addressed the fact that the Games are not Native-only, but are open to anybody. Her daughter, in fact, was both Hopi and Hispanic which makes inclusivity a core value to the family. 'Lori's legacy was to bring people together, any ethnicity, any background. And that's what we do in these games,' she emphasized. 'We want everyone to feel included to come together and participate in good sportsmanship, camaraderie, and also for the youth to go to the next level, achieve their dreams, and play in a wonderful facility that they don't normally get to.' (L-R) Carla Whiterock, Percy Piestewa, baseball player Ramon Moreno, Coach Moses Cota and Brandon ... More Whiterock. Percy and her late husband Terry raised Lori's children, who were just four and three years old when their mother died. After the kids were grown and Terry had unfortunately passed away, Percy's irrepressible energy led her back into the workforce. Four years ago, she took a position as an advocate assistant with Victim Witness Services in Flagstaff, helping people in crisis. Percy and Terry filled two essential roles in Brandon and Carla's lives taking on the responsibility of grandparents (spoilers) and parents (disciplinarians). 'They did a terrific job balancing that out,' said Brandon gratefully. 'I always give them so much credit because it wasn't easy.' Percy, however, laughed off any notion that it was struggle noting instead that as the next to oldest of 18 kids, she did a lot of sibling raising. Brandon graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2022 with a degree in exercise science and was honored with the prestigious Gold Axe Award, which recognizes graduating seniors for exceptional achievements in academics, service, and leadership. He earned a master's degree in educational leadership and is on the staff of NAU's Office of Veteran and Military Services. His entrepreneurial younger sister Carla is a successful self-employed aesthetician working in Flagstaff and Page. Athleticism runs in the family, making their involvement with the Games especially fitting. Lori excelled at softball and volleyball; Brandon and Carla were multi-sport athletes; and even Percy played softball, was a member of the high school trampoline team and taught aerobics for a time. Brandon is an avid powerlifter who was instrumental in adding the strength sport to the Games in 2023, and he has served as commissioner since the beginning. Wrestling returned to the Games this year, with 72 athletes and 12 coaches. The family was constantly on the move during the Games, greeting folks, presenting medals and sharing details about Lori's vibrant and full life. While her service and sacrifice was one extraordinary chapter, she did have a life before that and the family hopes people will see her as a real person, not a headline or a hashtag. Said Brandon, 'We want (the athletes) to get to know our mother and who and what they're playing for. It makes the competition more fierce when they realize that they're playing for something greater than themselves.' Educating participants and their families about the long history of Native American veterans is another important element of the Piestewa Games. Native people have the highest per-capita involvement of any population to serve in the U.S. military, with an estimated 20,000+ active and reserve members and nearly 150,000 veterans in the U.S. Percy encourages kids, especially, to learn more. 'So go home and ask your veteran family members about their terms of duty and what they've represented because so many of our veterans got left out and if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here.' The competition among girls teams was fierce. Next Up The family's short-term goal is to revive the cross country competition, paused for the past three years. It's a sport with major cultural connections to Indian Country. 'It's been very important since my sister and I were younger,' explained Brandon, noting it was a cherished family tradition. 'Our family would run, even my grandfather, and as much as I don't like getting up early, we would always get up early to run with him.' ASEC organizers hope to eventually elevate the Games by establishing qualifier tournaments across the country, starting with basketball. Their short-term need is more mundane – exposure software across all sports to enhance participant experience and streamline operations. Explained Balich, 'We need software to help us run the games because everything is hand done. It's costing us too much in staff time and is very frustrating for everybody involved. That worked five years ago. That doesn't work today.' Corporate sponsorship would put some short- and long-term goals within reach. It's difficult to imagine a more positive association for a potential sponsor, especially taking into account the economic impact of the Games. Last year they generated an estimated $7 million for the local economy, through hospitality, transportation, retail, taxes and other ancillary items. But Balich is quick to emphasize that any sponsorship would have to be based on authenticity and integrity, not corporate exploitation. 'Especially in the Native space, we're looking for the right sponsors. I don't want a sponsor that's there to exploit the Native Americans, I want the right sponsor who wants to better the lives of human beings.' Ultimately, ASEC and the Piestewas are dedicated to increasing representation for the Native community. As Brandon concluded, 'It's about bringing people together, honoring our mom's legacy and making sure that the Native youth have a have a bigger picture of goals in life, and how to achieve them.' There was a sense at the Games that many young participants initially didn't know much about Lori but have since learned who she was and what she stood for. It's knowledge they'll take back to their communities and share with their schoolmates who ask about the portrait on the Piestewa Games teeshirts they take home. The Games were infused with Lori Piestewa's spirit.
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Patient dies from the ‘Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged
Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets PLAGUE ALERT Patient dies from the 'Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PERSON has died from plague just 24-hours after they showed up at hospital with symptoms, health officals have said. The victim was rushed to Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona, US, showing severe symptoms, and died the same day, an email seen by local media suggests. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 An unidentified person has died from the plague in the US An autopsy later confirmed the presence of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague. Officials said the individual had pneumonic plague, the rarest and most dangerous form of the disease. Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets. Without urgent treatment, it can kill within just 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns. No further details about the patient have been released. It is the first confirmed plague death in Coconino County, in northern Arizona, since 2007, when a case was linked to contact with a dead animal carrying the infection. The Coconino County government said the risk to the public of exposure remains low. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased," Patrice Horstman from the county's Board of Supervisors Chair, said in a statement. "We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. "Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released." The Black Death The plague is infamously responsible for the 14th-century Black Death that wiped out half of Europe. It remains on both the WHO and UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) priority pathogen lists due to its potential to cause a pandemic. Though now rare and treatable with antibiotics, plague can still be deadly. Pneumonic cases in particular are fatal in up to 90 per cent of patients if left untreated. There are several forms of plague. Bubonic plague, the most common form, is usually spread through the bite of infected fleas. 2 The disease can cause tissue to turn black and die Credit: Wikipedia The disease can be transmitted to humans either by flea bites or through direct contact with infected animals, including pet dogs and cats. The main symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck, groin, thighs, or armpits. These swollen nodes, called buboes, can cause surrounding tissue to turn black and die, a symptom believed to have inspired the name "Black Death." Septicemic plague occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. It can develop on its own or as a complication of bubonic plague, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin and organs. Pneumonic plague, the most severe form, infects the lungs and can spread rapidly between humans through airborne droplets. It often starts as bubonic or septicemic plague that has spread to the lungs if left untreated. Symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes coughing up blood. Pneumonic plague requires immediate medical attention. Last week, officials from the Coconino County Health Department reported several prairie dog deaths northeast of Flagstaff, which can be a sign of the disease. However, health officials have since confirmed that the recent human plague death is not connected to the prairie dog die-off. Risk to Brits is 'very low' The WHO estimates between 1,000 and 2,000 cases occur globally each year. On average, seven human plague cases are reported in the US each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, plague is no longer found in the UK, and the risk of imported cases is considered 'very low,' according to government guidance. However, Covid jab scientists are developing a Black Death vaccine over fears the disease could re-emerge and kill millions. The team behind the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine said they had made progress on an injection that could prevent bubonic plague from developing The last significant British outbreak occurred in Suffolk in 1918, though a few isolated cases have been suspected since. Recent infections have been reported in countries including the US, Peru, China, Bolivia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Russia.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
An Arizona resident died of pneumonic plague, becoming the first person to succumb to the disease in the area in nearly 20 years, according to officials. The victim, who was not identified, lived in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, local officials said. The last recorded death in Coconino County was in 2007. Only about seven people are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and most cases are concentrated in the western states. Us Measles Cases Hit Highest Level In More Than 30 Years, Cdc Data Shows In the U.S., it's most likely to be found in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and western Nevada, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is most commonly found in Africa. Read On The Fox News App The Bubonic Plague Influenced Evolution Of The Human Immune System, New Study Suggests Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease. Although the plague killed millions of Europeans during the Black Death of the 14th century, it is now easily treated with antibiotics. Pneumonic plague causes severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease, affecting the lymph nodes. Septicemic plague is the least common form of the disease and affects the bloodstream. The plague is usually transmitted through flea bites from wild rodents or contact with an infected animal, and it can even spread person-to-person through the air. The Arizona Department of Health Services did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona Resident Dies of Plague After Being Rushed to Emergency Room
One person has died of the plague in Northern Arizona, health officials confirmed July 11 The person was treated at a local emergency room and died the same day, per NBC News Coconino County Health and Human Services said the risk of human transmission is "very low"One person has died of the bacteria that causes the plague in Northern Arizona, near Flagstaff, officials confirmed. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) said in a July 11 statement that a county resident was confirmed to have died from pneumonic plague, As CCHHS said, it's 'a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.' 'Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,' Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said in the statement. 'We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released.' The patient arrived at Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department and died the same day, per a report by NBC News. CCHHS did say the death was not related to recent reports of prairie dogs dying in the Townsend Winona area, which some officials had linked to the plague, according to a report in AZ Central. The plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium and is transmitted to people by rodent fleas, or by handling an infected animal, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says. It manifests first as the bubonic plague, with symptoms that include fever, headache, chills, weakness and swollen, painful lymph nodes. The disease, if untreated, may progress into septicemic plague, which causes abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin. Pneumonic plague occurs when the disease progresses past septicemic or bubonic. It's the 'most serious form of the disease,' the CDC says, and the only type that can be spread from person to person. It's marked by 'rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucous.' The CDC notes that 'plague is a very serious illness but treatable with commonly available antibiotics.' CCHHS cautioned residents to avoid contact with wild animals, especially rodents, and to avoid fleas by using an insect repellant '20-30 percent DEET and tuck pant cuffs into your socks to help prevent flea bites.' The agency urged residents to be see veterinary care for pets, and to be especially mindful of cats, who who are 'highly susceptible to plague.' CCHHS said "the risk of human-to-human transmission is very low." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
CNN
12-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Northern Arizona resident dies from plague
A resident of northern Arizona has died from pneumonic plague, health officials said Friday. Plague is rare to humans, with on average about seven cases reported annually in the U.S., most of them in the western states, according to federal health officials. The death in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007, local officials said. Further details including the identify of the victim were not released. Plague is a bacterial infection known for killing tens of millions in 14th century Europe. Today, it's easily treated with antibiotics. The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats. There are two other forms: septicemic plague that spreads through the whole body, and pneumonic plague that infects the lungs. Pneumonic plague is the most deadly and easiest to spread. The bacteria is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas that can spread it between rodents, pets and humans. People can also get plague through touching infected bodily fluids. Health experts recommend taking extra care when handling dead or sick animals. Most cases happen in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and far western Nevada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
